New Castle News

Safety at Exit 33 Railroad Crossing in New Castle Continues to Receive Scrutiny

April 1, 2015 by Inside Press

By Eileen Gallagher

Speaking for a second time in recent months from near a railroad tracks crossing in New Castle–where new incidences continue to raise serious concern among residents and public officials–Congresswoman Nita Lowey said she would initiate a high profile public awareness campaign regarding safety at railroad crossings. Federal and Metro North officials also addressed the potential for a bridge over the crossing.

“Just yesterday a van was on the tracks as a train approached.The train slowed as the van broke through the gate, avoiding a crash, but it is at least the second close call this month.” Lowey summed up the safety issue of on-grade railroad crossings, and, in particular, the crossing adjacent to Chappaqua Crossing and Horace Greeley High School.

“The safest grade crossing is one that doesn’t exist,” she continued. “But with more than 212,000 public and private crossings around the country, we must tackle this important safety challenge with a multi-faceted approach, including eliminating the most dangerous grade crossings.”

Per Lowey, aspects of the public awareness campaign include making sure drivers know what to do, and what not to do, when they approach the crossings, and ensuring cooperation among all levels of government.

Also present were Sarah Feinberg, Acting Administrator of the Federal Railroad Administration, and Joseph Giulietti, President of Metro-North Railroad.

Feinberg addressed the issue of the need for safer grade crossings. “Metro-North, New Jersey Transit, and the Long Island Railroad alone have almost 800 grade crossings…an enormous number of grade crossings for railroads to have to go through every day.” She continued, “The reality is that we are never going to be able to take care of every single grade crossing with a grade separation and so we have to do everything we can to keep people safe at grade crossings.” She spoke of the need for education, enforcement, and awareness.

Asked if the proximity to the high school and the planned residential and commercial development at Chappaqua Crossing would influence the decision as to whether the Roaring Brook crossing would be considered for changeover to a bridge as requested by Supervisor Rob Greenstein, Giulietti responded that there are ongoing meetings between the state, town, MTA and Metro-North. “How do you prioritize? We are aware and are looking at things that can be done now. Those meetings have been taking place and will continue to take place next week.”

On Behalf of the Dirks Family: “Support Tremendous” at Jodi’s Gym

March 16, 2015 by Inside Press

Following up with the initial and highly successful Chappaqua Cares/Chappaqua Shares effort to establish a Scholarship fund for the Dirks Family, Jodi’s Gym opens its facility to all for additional support.

By Matt Smith

Family and friends came out in droves to support the family of Chappaqua resident Robert Dirks, whose memory was honored at a fundraising event yesterday at Jodi’s Gym in Mt. Kisco. Dirks was one of six casualties of the tragic Metro-North train accident that occurred in Valhalla on February 3.

The idea for such a fundraiser came about while gym owner Jodi Rosenwasser Levine was browsing through the Chappaqua Moms Facebook page. “I was deeply saddened [by the news], as everyone was,” Levine said, and “looking for a way to help. Everyone was saying, ‘What can I do? What can I do?’ and I said, ‘I can hold a fundraiser through the gym.’” Resident Dawn Greenberg–co-founder of Chappaqua Cares, Chappaqua Shares–caught the offer and not only praised Levine for the gesture, but joined her in making it a reality.

Greenberg, who began her organization in November 2014 as a way to get Chappaqua residents involved with giving to those in need, saw the opportunity as one to allow residents the chance to give back. “This community is so caring and so giving,” Greenberg said. “But sometimes, it’s frustrating to figure out exactly how to do that effectively….[so] we give people an outlet. We thought this was a great event ‘cause it would allow kids to bring their playmates and have fun and just enjoy the day.”

The two sent out a notice via the Facebook page offering to hold a fundraiser for several of the families who were impacted by the crash; the Dirks family accepted the offer. “[Jodi’s Gym] didn’t burden us with anything,” says Jason Ueda, uncle to Robert’s children, Owen (5) and Phoebe (2). “They said, ‘We’ll take care of it.’”

Ueda also added, as a testament to the Chappaqua community, that “the support has been tremendous” and the family is very appreciative. “Everyone has been respectful and thoughtful and [has made] all aspects of this [tragic event] less stressful.”

The family continued to feel this support during the event as well, which took the form of an open gym, where guests could play on the balance beam, swing on the gymnastic rings, bounce in the bouncy castle or trampoline, or slide on the slide. Additional activities included face painting and arts and crafts. The staff also prepared a food room, made up entirely of donated goods from local businesses, including sandwiches from Quaker Hill Tavern, cupcakes from The Pastry Corner, a decorative fruit platter from Susan Lawrence, and pizza from Bellizzi. The afternoon ended–as all kids’ events should–with bubble popping and a parachute game.

Echoes Jessica Reinmann, co-founder of Chappaqua Cares, Chappaqua Shares, of the overwhelming response: “I think it’s a testament to the community that so much money has been donated and people are so willing to help.”
On behalf of the community, Levine states that “our thoughts and prayers are with the immediate family of the Dirks and all the families who were affected by the Metro-North crash.” The Dirks family also wishes to personally thank Levine for organizing the whole event, all the proceeds of which will benefit a scholarship fund for Dirks’ children. “We’re so happy the Dirks could come,” Levine said in response. “It gives the day an extra special meaning for us.”

Jodi’s Gym is located at 25 Hubbels Drive in Mt. Kisco, NY. For more information, please visit www.jodisgym.org

Matt Smith is a longtime Chappaqua resident, who graduated from Skidmore College last Spring, with a degree in Theatre and a Minor in Creative Writing. This was his first assignment for the Inside Press, Inc.

Broad Range of Town Issues–from Potholes to the Master Plan–Addressed this Week

March 13, 2015 by Inside Press

By Eileen Gallagher

An information-packed week began with the League of Women Voters’ Conversation with the Supervisor on Monday March 9, town board meeting including presentations by WSP Sells and Summit Greenfield on Tuesday March 10, and Pace’s Comprehensive Plan Update on Thursday March 12.
Conversation…

Supervisor Rob Greenstein provided a live and televised audience with his overview of the state of the town, as well as answers to questions posed by the community members present at the library. Topics ranged from the Master Plan, Chappaqua Crossing, and Hunts Place, to distracted driving, coyotes, and potholes. He focused on matters of public safety, delineating the town board’s goals for 2015 and beyond. First and foremost on the list is the Metro North grade crossing at Roaring Brook Road near Horace Greeley High School. Greenstein contacted Senators Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand, as well as Congresswoman Nita Lowey and Congressman Sean Patrick Maloney to request their assistance in funding a bridge over the Saw Mill Parkway. Per Greenstein, this would eliminate a dangerous railroad crossing as well as the traffic light, at which 460 accidents have occurred over the past nine years.

Potholes are catching the attention of town officials, as well as the need for road repaving. A five year plan is in the works, according to Greenstein. “The reality is that due to the economy, our roads are neglected.”

Greenstein mentioned working on a campaign to market the town, including the creation of a “welcome packet” extolling the features of living in New Castle. Events, activities, and opportunities for volunteering as well as a listing of resources would be found in this “packet”, which would be made available at real estate offices and town hall. (Editor’s Note: In the interest of full disclosure, The Inside Press, Inc., is being considered as the publisher.) Using the analogy of the “I Love New York” campaign, Greenstein suggested that New Castle could benefit from a slogan such as “Not Just Great Schools.”

Sense of Place…
At town hall, project manager Bob Severance of WSP Sells presented ideas for streetscape and infrastructure improvements in the downtown section of Chappaqua, stating that the goal is to promote a downtown center, to “enhance the sense of place.”

Suggestions such as relocation of parking on South King Street, a “triangular roundabout” at the current triangle at the foot of the bridge into town, and a stop sign or traffic light at the intersection of King and South Greeley are considerations. “We’re not here to choose what you want,” assured Severance, stressing that the town would ultimately guide the decisions.

Greenstein opined that the town should at least implement temporary measures sooner rather than later, such as a stop sign at King and South Greeley.
“We have a middle school in the downtown, as well as a tradition of kids running around,” referring to Friday afternoons after school.

Georgian Architecture…
David Ball, an architect contracted by Summit Greenfield, presented watercolor depictions of the plans for Chappaqua Crossing. Citing the cupola building as an “excellent example” of Georgian style architecture, he described the features of this style as symmetrical, simple, and having verticality. The plans showed buildings of various materials and design, providing “visual interest and variety.”

Councilwoman Lisa Katz remarked that this version was “so much better than the first iteration,” remarking, “recognizing it is a shopping center, we want to make it look like it’s been there forever.”

Comprehensive Plan Update…
A Master Plan update was presented by Tiffany Zezula and Kevin Dwarka of Pace Land Use at the library Thursday evening. Zezula opened with, “This is your plan. Where does your vision come into this?”

An audience of about 30 community members learned that a comprehensive plan is a formally adopted written document, including goals, strategies, and implementation steps. In other words, it is a “blueprint, or vision for New Castle” for the next several years.

Utilizing Westchester Base Studies and the Community Engagement Report (the result of four public master plan sessions held in 2014), Dwarka and Zezula took turns addressing topics such as housing, transportation, infrastructure, natural resources, and public and school facilities.

Zezula closed the evening with a question and answer session, keeping the entire presentation within the scheduled one hour time frame.

Items of note:
1. While the population of New Castle has remained stable, the “millennial” (age 25-34) population has shrunk while the senior (over 65) age group is growing.
2. New Castle has a significantly lower population density than Westchester County overall.
3. The median income of New Castle is significantly higher than the metro areas.
4. There are 6037 single housing units over 7727 acres. While there are no co-ops in New Castle, there are 644 condos and 328 rental units.
5. 24% town residents commute by train (20% is the county average) from a train station with 1191 parking spots.

Congresspersons Lowey and Maloney Join Town and School Officials at Roaring Brook Road Metro North Railroad Crossing to Address and Propose Solutions

March 2, 2015 by Inside Press

Both Congresswoman Nita Lowey and Congressman Sean Patrick Mahoney (to her left) arrived to address railroad crossing hazards. Town Supervisor Robert Greenstein challenged public officials to take action on improving safety in the wake of the tragedy.

Article and Photos by Eileen Gallagher

With the backdrop of the Harlem Line trains roaring by, Congresspersons Nita Lowey and Sean Patrick Maloney joined members of the town board, school board, and various public officials at the Roaring Brook Road railroad crossing on Monday afternoon to talk about their efforts regarding rail crossing safety.

“We know that rail crossings are where the overwhelming number of fatalities occur in railroad accidents. We know that 95% of fatalities occur at rail crossings…we can do better.” The words of Maloney were nearly drowned out by the whistle sounding as both southbound and northbound Metro North trains passed in the background.

Flanked by Supervisor Rob Greenstein, town council members Adam Brodsky and Lisa Katz, Westchester County Legislator Mike Kaplowitz, Town Administrator Jill Shapiro, Superintendent Lyn McKay, board of education members Karen Visser, Victoria Tipp and Warren Messner, and Police Chief Charles Ferry, Maloney and Lowey spoke of their dedication to improving safety at rail crossings and the implementation of positive train control.

“We are acting now in a bipartisan fashion to save lives before we have another tragic accident on Metro North rail space.” Referring to the Passenger Rail Reform and Investment Act up for consideration by the House of Representatives this week, Maloney spoke particularly of the Rail Crossings Safety Improvement Act, which invests in state and local governments’ efforts to build bridges or tunnels to improve the safety of grade crossings. Maloney then introduced Lowey, who echoed his sentiments.

“The tragic collision at Valhalla should never have occurred. But incidents at grade crossings are all too common. On average there is a collision at a grade crossing every three hours, and they account for nearly 95% of rail related deaths each year.” Lowey went on to say that with over 212,000 public and private grade crossings around the country, a multi-faceted approach is needed to tackle this safety issue, most importantly educating motorists.

“We’re going to make these kinds of crossings less common, and in the meantime I want to ensure that drivers know what to do and, more importantly, what not to do when they approach a crossing.” Lowey spoke of a proposal of $10 million for efforts in a high visibility campaign to address critical safety risks.

Chappaqua School Board Members: Warren Messner, Vicki Tipp, Karen Visser, and Superintendent Lyn McKay
Evan Eisenhandler, the Executive Director of Operation Lifesaver (a nonprofit organization dedicated to rail safety education), shared his organization’s efforts to educate the public. Per their press release, Operation Lifesaver “provides free safety presentations for motorists and pedestrians throughout the U.S.” and warns “rail safety is something everyone should take seriously.”

Greenstein thanked Lowey and Maloney for their leadership on this “critical public safety initiative,” while reminding them of the urgency for safety at this crossing, located in close proximity to the high school and traversed by a large percentage of young drivers. Speaking of adjacent land owned by the town, donated in the 1930’s by Readers’ Digest owners Dewitt and Lila Wallace, Greenstein said that the land is available to build a bridge over the tracks. “All we need is money. I believe there is a will to do it, and certainly a need to do it, and I thank Congresswoman Lowey and Congressman Maloney for their leadership on this issue.”

Metro North Disaster’s Small Miracle: “The train did not derail. It stayed on its tracks.” Rob Astornio

February 4, 2015 by Inside Press

By Grace Bennett

“When you get on a train, you expect to arrive safely to work or to home.” Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino

Instead, last night’s ride home was every commuter’s worst nightmare. These additional comments and info were gleaned last night during a press conference during which Astorino described a “completely burnt out scene” at the site of the deadly Metro North collision.

• It was a 5:45 p.m. express to Chappaqua at full capacity with some 650 passengers, traveling at 60 mph. The “standing room only” vehicle made its normal first stop at Harlem’s 125th Street station… before disaster struck.
• Seven people died in the train’s collision with a black Jeep Cherokee, whose woman driver, one of the persons killed by the collision, had reportedly stopped on the steel tracks in Mount Pleasant along the Commerce Street crossing in Valhalla.
• 12 more of the passengers are being treated for injuries, 11 inside the trauma center of Westchester Medical Center. At least 10 of the injured are in serious condition, he added. One injured passenger was taken to Phelps Memorial Hospital.
• He described the cause of the crash as either “confusion” by the driver or a “malfunction of the vehicle.” “This was not the conductor or engineer’s fault.”
• A third row of rail came up from the tracks and through the entire front car. Astorino expressed amazement that anyone was able to get out of that ill fated car which he described as “all melted inside.” He added it was a miracle too in that: “The train did not derail; it stayed on the tracks.”
• Precise details about what happened to cause the crash in what is being deemed the worst accident in the history of Metro North continue to be investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board.
• First responders and a Medical Examiner arrived at the scene “in very good time,” said Astorino.
No IDs of victims were available; families need to be informed first.

“Most people are creatures of habit…You go into your own world, reading the paper or listening to an IPod. “I can’t imagine what it was like at impact. There must have been pure panic.”

Editor’s Note: As news about this disaster unfolded, my first impulse was to drive to Westchester Medical Center. There, a long line of media, primarily camera crews, were lined up waiting for possible word. It was an eerie and also helpless feeling waiting outside knowing the intensity that must be taking place inside WMC’s walls where doctors and nurses must still be working furiously this morning to save lives and repair injuries, while hospital personnel address and comfort devastated and worried family members. After awhile, I headed to Hawthorne to the State Trooper’s Headquarters to hear Astorino’s comments.